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For a long time, hardtails were real specialists. Rockets uphill but with a high seat post and short geometry on the downhill only for thoroughbred racers. Fortunately, this is now a thing of the past. Modern hardtails are more forgiving, offer more comfort and have therefore become much more universal. Unfortunately, really light bikes are usually really expensive. Not so the Cube Elite C:68X SL: The race hardtail, which weighs less than 9.0 kilograms, costs 4599 euros and offers equipment that is beyond reproach with Fox Factory forks, carbon rims and a complete XTR. The frame provides the necessary comfort with deliberate flex, the geometry is modern with a balanced head angle (69 degrees) and moderate values for reach and chainstays (446 and 424 millimetres), but still manageable enough. With 33.4 per cent of the readers' votes, the Cube Elite C:68X Bike of the Year 2020 in the Hardtail category.
Second place went to the Specialized Epic HT with an equally impressive 30.5 per cent of the votes, well ahead of the Pivot LES SL in third place (14.9 per cent). Fourth and fifth place went to the Giant XTC and Müsing's Specter.
Adrian Kaether
Editor
